Josh Bonifay Named Appy League Manager of the Year

Greeneville's first year manager, Josh Bonifay, was named the Appy League Manager of the Year yesterday.  Bonifay has lead Greeneville to a 35-26 record despite having no Appy League All-Stars on his roster.  The G-Stros are currently a half game back of Kingsport in the race for the Appy West title and are two and a half games ahead of Elizabethton for the wild card spot.

Bonifay has been required to mix and match pieces as his roster has been impacted by frequent moves and injuries.  The following players have been promoted during the 2013 season: Bobby Borchering (.259) to Quad Cities, Jack Mayfield (.255), J.D. Osborne (0.00 ERA), Tyler Brunnemann (4.66 ERA), Tyler White (.344), Troy Scribner (0.00 ERA), Gonzalo Sanudo (1.29 ERA), Edison Frias (3.09 ERA), and Krishawn Holley (2.41 ERA) to Tri-City.

Add to those defections, the loss of Brett Phillips to an injured hand.  Phillips has just played in one game since July 29th. He is an important part of the top of the line up and an key defensive piece in center field. 

Another indication of the juggling that Bonifay has done is that thus far, is the lack of constancy he has had in his line up.  Only five players have appeared in 2/3 of the G-Stros 61 games.  They are: Juan Santana (54 gms - .234), Tanner Mathis (54 gms - .262), Ariel Ovando (47 gms - .222), Marc Wik (44 gms- .269), and Chase McDonald (40 gms - .260).

Under Bonifay, the G-Stros have set records for most walks taken as a team (282 and counting) and a player (Tanner Mathis - 43).  The old records for the team were 256 in 2004.  For an individual, the season record was 37 by Brandon Caipen in 2006 and the career record was 42 by Devon Torrance in 07-08.  They have also set a team record with 36 sacrifice hits.  The old record was 25 in 2004.  Juan Santana has 10 of those sac hits. 

They have also set the team record for number of saves in a season with 22.  The old record was 19 set in 2004 and 2009.  They still have a shot at setting new records for fewest hits allowed, fewest runs allowed and fewest earned runs allowed. 

They have also had team record winning streaks of seven games and 10 games. 

Congrats to Josh Bonifay on this recognition. He is the second G-Stro manager to receive this award (Tim Bogar 2004).

David Martinez makes #16

David Martinez got the call up to the show yesterday.  He made his MLB debut tonight becoming the 16th former Greeneville Astro to put on a MLB uniform.  

Here is the list of former Greeneville Astros who have made it to the big leagues

#1 RHP J.C. Gutierrez
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/19/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Angels

#2 LHP Troy Patton
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/25/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Baltimore Orioles

#3 RHP Felipe Paulino
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently on KC Royals DL

#4 C J.R. Towles
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently in AAA in Dodgers system.

#5 RHP Jimmy Barthmaier
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 6/27/2008 with Pittsburgh Pirates
Out of Baseball

#6 RHP Sammy Gervacio
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 8/14/2009 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#7 LHP Victor Garate
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 9/5/2009 with Washington Nationals
Currently in Mexican League (AAA - Unaffiliated)

#8 LHP Fernando Abad
Greeneville Astros: 2007
MLB Debut: 7/28/2010 with Houston Astros
Currently with Washington Nationals

#9 RHP Henry Villar
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 9/10/2010 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#10 RHP Jordan Lyles
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 5/31/11 with Houston Astros
Currently with Houston Astros

#11 2B Jose Altuve
Greeneville Astros: 2008-09
MLB Debut: 7/20/11 with Houston Astros -Current

#12 LF J.D. Martinez
Greeneville Astros: 2009
MLB Debut: 7/30/11 with Houston Astros - Currently on the 15 day DL

#13 OF Brandon Barnes
Greeneville Astros: 2005-06
MLB Debut: 8/7/12 with Houston Astros- Current

#14 RHP Jose Cisnero
Greeneville Astros 2009
MLB Debut: 4/22/13
Currently in AAA- Oklahoma City

#15 RHP Jorge De Leon
Greeneville Astros 2008 (as a SS)
MLB Debut 8/9/13
Currently in AAA - Oklahoma City

#16 RHP David Martinez
Greeneville Astro 2009
MLB Debut 8/21/13

Jorge De Leon Becomes 15th Former G-Stro in the Big Leagues

Earlier this month, Jorge De Leon, who played shortstop in Greeneville,  got the call up to the big leagues as a pitcher.  He became the 15th former G-Stro to make it to the show.

Here is the list of former Greeneville Astros who have made it to the big leagues

#1 RHP J.C. Gutierrez
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/19/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Angels

#2 LHP Troy Patton
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 8/25/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently with Baltimore Orioles

#3 RHP Felipe Paulino
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently on KC Royals DL

#4 C J.R. Towles
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 9/5/2007 with Houston Astros
Currently in AAA in Dodgers system.

#5 RHP Jimmy Barthmaier
Greeneville Astros: 2004
MLB Debut: 6/27/2008 with Pittsburgh Pirates
Out of Baseball

#6 RHP Sammy Gervacio
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 8/14/2009 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#7 LHP Victor Garate
Greeneville Astros: 2005
MLB Debut: 9/5/2009 with Washington Nationals
Currently in Mexican League (AAA - Unaffiliated)

#8 LHP Fernando Abad
Greeneville Astros: 2007
MLB Debut: 7/28/2010 with Houston Astros
Currently with Washington Nationals

#9 RHP Henry Villar
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 9/10/2010 with Houston Astros
Out of Baseball

#10 RHP Jordan Lyles
Greeneville Astros: 2008
MLB Debut: 5/31/11 with Houston Astros
Currently with Houston Astros

#11 2B Jose Altuve
Greeneville Astros: 2008-09
MLB Debut: 7/20/11 with Houston Astros -Current

#12 LF J.D. Martinez
Greeneville Astros: 2009
MLB Debut: 7/30/11 with Houston Astros - Current

#13 OF Brandon Barnes
Greeneville Astros: 2005-06
MLB Debut: 8/7/12 with Houston Astros- Current

#14 RHP Jose Cisnero
Greeneville Astros 2009
MLB Debut: 4/22/13
Currently in AAA- Oklahoma City

#15 RHP Jorge De Leon
Greeneville Astros 2008 (as a SS)
MLB Debut 8/9/13
Currently in AAA - Oklahoma City

Eyewitness Report: 8/4/13 G-Stros 17, K-Mets 1

It only counts as one win in the standings but it was a solid statement.  Greeneville stretched its two game lead to three with an all around dominate performance.  Here are the highlights:

The night got off to a good night when Little Appy and I got our Jose Altuve give away t-shirts when we walked in the gate.

On The Mound
When a team scores 17 runs in a game, it can be tempting to overlook the pitching but that would be a mistake.  Jordan Mills started the game for the G-Stros and pitched five solid innings facing just one batter over the minimum. His line read: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K.

Unofficially, I had him at 58 pitches with 43 of them for strikes!  Of the seven strikeouts, five were swinging and two were looking.  The two hits were both doubles.  One was a ball that bounded over third baseman Tyler White down the left field line.  The other was another ball down the left field line.   

Austin Chrismon relieved Mills and pitched the next three innings.  The first pitch he delivered was deposited over the wall for a solo HR.  After that, he settled down allowing just one more hit.  He struck out three and walked one.  He threw several very nice curves on the night.

Tyler Brunnemann finished off the game with a rather eventful ninth.  After striking out the first batter, he walked the next batter on four pitches.  He the gave up a double down the right field line that luckily went under the gate for a ground rule double. Otherwise it is a run scoring triple.  He walked the next batter on a full count pitch to load the bases before getting a visit from the pitching coach.  The very next pitch went for a 4-6-3 double play to wrap up the game.

At The Plate

15 hits. 6 BB. 1 HBP and 1 reached on a drop third strike. That is 23 base runners on the night and 17 scored.   The team was 7-10 with runners in scoring position.  Every Astro who played scored a run.  Even Angle Ibanez who struck out in his only at bat.  He reached when the third strike got by the catcher and he reached first safely.  It was just one of those nights.

Marc Wik went 4 for 5 with three singles and a bases clearing stand up triple to the gap in right center. Wik scored three runs on the night to lead the team. 

Tyler White was 2 for 4 with a two run homer before leaving the game in the seventh.

Chase McDonald went 3 for 4 - all singles - plus a walk.  The one time he got out required a nice play by the shortstop.  McDonald hit the ball toward left field.  The SS dove to his right and threw from his knees to nab McDonald or he perfect night.

Juan Santana only had one hit but it was a big hit.  A three run HR to left field.  He also had a sac fly to plate the final run of the game.

Ariel Ovando went 2 for 4 on the night and led the team with five RBI.  He had three run HR to RF that got out in a hurry.  He latter had a hustle double on a ball hit in shallow center.  He rounded first and realized that both the shortstop and the second baseman had gone out to try to catch the ball and 2nd was unattended.  He cruised in for a stand up double on a ball that was just out of the reach of the second baseman.  He later walked in the game with the bases loaded for his final RBI of the night.

Brian Holberton was 2 for 4 with both of his hits coming in the seven run third inning.  He lead off the inning with a single to left and then added a double down the right field line later in the inning.  He added a walk in the ninth. 

The game was out of hand in the ninth but the K-Mets couldn't get the Astros out so they resorted to bringing in their closer who got a double play ball with the bases loaded to put an end to the massacre.

In The Field

Tyler White made several nice plays at third.  He made a leaping grab of a line drive and a nice play ranging to his left in the third.  He added another good play to his left in the fourth.  He also applied a tag to catch a runner attempting stealing third in the first.   The runner was out by two feet thanks to a great throw by Brian Holberton.

The other play I have circled in my score book as a 3-6-1 double play to end the seventh.  First baseman McDonald fielded the ball moving to his right.  He made the throw to the SS Thomas Lindauer who threw back to pitcher Austin Chrismon covering first.  Just like you work on in in PFPs.

The one error of the night was charged to Lindauer on a ball that was hit up the middle.  He got to the ball in time but couldn't field it cleanly to make the throw.  It would have been a very nice play had he pulled it off. He made a similar play later in the game. 

Appy Astros Alumni Of The Month - July 2013

The short season is in full swing and both Greeneville and Tri Cities lead their divisions. The rest of the farm isn't doing to shabbily either with both Corpus Christi and Lancaster leading their divisions in the second half of the season.

Here is your monthly look at how former Greeneville Astros are doing in the Major Leagues, the Astros' farm system and in other minor league affiliates.

Tri-City ValleyCats (short season A ball)

Hitter
Chan Moon was bumped back down to short season ball after spending most of last season in Low A and even getting a taste of High A.  The fact that he is in Tri Cities shows you the depth at SS in the organization.  In July, he hit .299/.365/.358 with seven stolen bases.  

Pitcher
Michael Feliz has been dominate in the NY/Penn League.  In 20 1/3 innings in July, he fanned 23 batters and offered free passes to just three.  His season ERA is 1.49 with 42 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched.  

Quad Cities River Bandits (Low A)

Hitter
Carlos Correa hit .295/.378/.474 for the month of July.  He added two HR and eight doubles.  His season average of .314 shows he is ready for the next challenge.

Honorable mention to Rio Ruiz.  He hit .279 for July with 10 extra base hits (six doubles, one triple and three HR).  He has rebounded from a rough start to raise his season average to .251.

Pitcher
Vincent Velasquez made four starts in July and finished with an impressive 2.35 ERA.  He fanned 21 batters in 23 innings pitched while maintaining a WHIP of 0.783.

Sharing the honor this month is Jordan Jankowski who made two starts and four relief appearances for a combined 19 1/3 innings pitched.  During July, his ERA was 1.86 and he allowed just 13 hits and one walk for a 0.656 WHIP.

Lancaster JetHawks

Hitter
Delino DeShields was hot for July hitting .349/..407/.500 with 19 stolen bases.  He took 10 walks and only struck out 16 times in 106 at bats.

Pitcher
Mike Hauschild has only spent a part of the month in Lancaster be he has been solid in his first three outings.  In 14 innings pitched (two starts and one relief appearance) he struck out 12 batters and only issued two walks.  His Lancaster ERA was 3.86.

Corpus Christi Hooks

Hitter
Rene Garcia gets the nod before he heads off to AAA.  For July, he hit .327/.358/.423.  During his time in Corpus Christi he has thrown out 51% of would be base stealers. 

Jonathan Meyer gets honorable mention for his solid month. He hit .315/.411/.446.  After hitting .165 in April, his season average is up to .274.

Pitcher
Who else but David Martinez.   In 5 starts for July (36 1/3 IP) he had a 1.98 ERA with two complete games.

Ruben Alaniz gets honorable mention for his solid month.  In four starts, he posted a 2.59 ERA in 24 1/3 innings.

Oklahoma City RedHawks

Hitter
Ruben Sosa earns this spot despite being the only position player on the roster who played in Greeneville.  He appeared in 19 games in July and hit an impressive .368 with three triples.

Pitcher
Jorge De Leon gets the nod by virtue of three strong relief appearances after his call up from Corpus Christi.  He has not allowed a run in the four innings he has thrown so far.

Outside The Astros Org.

Hitter
Albert Cartwright had a very solid month for Reading (Phillies AA).  He hit .306/.328 /.417 bringing his season average up to .268.

Pitcher
Victor Garate made five starts for Saltillo of the Mexican League (AAA).  His ERA for July was 1.74.  He fanned 33 batters in his 31 innings of work.

MLB

Hitter
J.D. Martinez gets the honor by hitting .288 in 17 games this month.  Honorable mention goes to Brandon Barnes for hitting for the cycle this month.

Pitcher
Fernando Abad continues his solid work this season.  In July, he amassed a 1.86 ERA in 10 games (9 2/3 IP) out of the Nationals bullpen.  Home runs have always been Abad's Achilles heel, but this year, through 24 1/3 innings, he has not surrendered a long ball.